The analytical questionnaire-based study was conducted among newly admitted Medical and Dental students of SBKS Medical Institute and Research Centre, and KM Shah Dental College and Hospitals, Gujarat, India. This study was conducted in July 2020. The Institutional Ethics Committee approved the study with approval no. SVIEC/ON/medi/RP/20033 dated 19/05/2020.

A structured questionnaire regarding different aspects involved in admission process was prepared. The content validation was done by the experts involved in the admission process. The validated questionnaire was administered initially to 10 PG seat allottees to investigate whether it is clear to understand and acceptable. The questionnaire was then repeated to other 10 PG seat allottees and a variation in the answers score was noted. There was no significant variation noticed, hence same questionnaire without any changes was utilised in the study. There were 11 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) in the questionnaire, out of which five MCQs were single response type, while remaining six MCQs were multiple response type.

The validated questionnaire was administered to the newly admitted medical and Dental PG students after obtaining the informed consent through a Google form. A one-week time was given to submit the responses to the questionnaire.

The detailed descriptive analysis was done using SPSS version 23.0 software. To study statistical significance, variables were tested using Chi-square test. The test is considered significant when p<0.05.

Total of 46 students participated in the study, of which 31 (67.4%) were medical PG and 15 (32.6%) were dental PG students [Table/Fig-1]. These students had been given options to report for admission process either in online or offline mode, in view of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by the authorities conducting counselling for admission process. The option of completing the process partly in online and partly in offline mode was also available. The PG students reported by online mode were 35 (76.1%), while 8 (17.4%) reported by offline mode and 3 (6.5%) students reported in both offline and online mode. There was statistically significant difference between two modes of reporting [Table/Fig-2].

Most of the PG students {30 (65.2%)} found online mode of reporting as convenient (p<0.05) While 12 (26.1%) were in favour of offline mode. Only 4 (8.7%) said that both the modes were convenient [Table/Fig-2]. The PG students found difficulties in online reporting were mainly due delayed response from the concerned official {20 (43%)} and they were sceptical about delivery of documents to destined person/place {12 (26.1%)}, while others have cited internet and mail related issues. The students who reported by the offline mode said that the mode was suitable. Since reported physically, whatever problems they faced were resolved immediately, also the preparation of legal documents was hassle free as all necessary arrangements were available. Most of the students {30 (65.2%)} found net banking as convenient mode of payment (p=0.039), while 16 (34.8%) opined that cheque payment was convenient. Majority of the PG seat allotees opined that MCC counselling scheme as good {24 (52.17%)}.

The MCC had worked day in and day out to make counselling user friendly. MCC had been updating the process of admission regularly. It addresses student’s issues regularly during admission process and aptly answering the frequently asked questions [3]. In spite of extensive literature review, the authors of the present study have not found a single report on challenges during admission process. Majority of previous studies have discussed medical education and its challenges [5,6], entrance test for admission [7] or fees structure of medical seats [8,9]. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of its kind which focused on challenges faced by the allottees of postgraduate medical and dental counselling.

There has been a tremendous increase in postgraduate medical seats in India in the recent past [1]. The simultaneous counselling process for All India Quota (15%). All India Quota, central universities, deemed universities, AIIMS, JIPMER, ECIS and AFMC through MCC for PG-MD/MS, MDS and State Counselling make admission process more complex [3,8]. This complexity and stipulated time frame for admission make parents and student to take help from private counsellor by paying huge amount [9]. The analysis of feedback from the students and incorporation of changes for the seamless admission process, will curtail the financial losses spent on private counsellor.

The students participated had reported mostly by both the online and offline mode. Almost all the students found online mode convenient way of reporting in the midst of unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. This online mode can be opted for reporting in future also as it is cost effective, can save time and resources. Though PG students were in favour of online mode of reporting there are few shortcomings that were notified like- delayed response from concerned official, internet and mail related issues. Hanson MD and Eva KW, in their study about technological innovations on medical school admissions, have said that in spite of all technological advances one should not forget the essence of ‘Art of Caring’ with person to person contact in health care system [10].

The lesser number of PG students cited offline mode convenient, observing that their issues had been solved instantaneously, hassle free bond preparation and it being a one-time process. The PG students found net banking as convenient mode of payment though there were certain problems like delayed credit of transferred amount.

The present study, through a structured feedback, has attempted to analyse the challenges faced by the candidates allotted in PG Medical/Dental Counselling. Through this report, the authors would like to draw the attention of all the stakeholders involved in the process including the Government administrators towards the challenges faced by the candidates. The effective remedies of these challenges will make the process seamless.

This pilot survey was done with a smaller sample size, hence interpretation of result may not be generalised. More elaborative studies with larger sample size is required to strengthen the process of admission in future.

The ongoing pandemic has made us discover online mode as one of the viable options for counselling as well as for reporting which will be the saving of resources including man hours. The central repository system is need of hour in today’s everchanging world of uncertainties to ease the admission process. Though most of PG students were satisfied with present counselling schemes of MCC, time to time updating and simplifying it, will make it future ready.